Automobile racing

FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2019, file photo, a NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series auto race starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. NASCAR and IndyCar have each called off their races this weekend. NASCAR was scheduled to run Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway without spectators but said Friday, March 13, 2020, it is calling off this weekend and next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, but suspended it’s season through the end of April.(AP Photo/Scott Cunningham, File)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The governor of North Carolina said Thursday that NASCAR teams can work in their race shops if they maintain social distancing guidelines, clearing a potential hurdle to resuming the season in coming weeks. Gov. Roy Cooper extended the state's stay-at-home order through May 8...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A pair of South Dakota speedways are forging ahead with plans to hold two auto races expected to draw hundreds of fans this weekend, even as the state’s governor warns against attending them. Gov. Kristi Noem said she won't be taking any action to shut down the events...

FILE - In this May 12, 2019 file photo, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, left, of Britain leads the field after the start of the Spanish Formula One race at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona, Spain. Joan Fontsere, the general manager of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, says Formula One organizers are open to renegotiating hosting fees for races that may take place without fans this season because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

MADRID (AP) — Formula One organizers are open to renegotiating hosting fees for races that may take place without fans this season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the general manager of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya said. Joan Fontseré told The Associated Press that Liberty Media is “...

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Milwaukee Bucks guard George Hill says his wife’s 85-year-old grandmother recently battled the coronavirus. “By the grace of God, she beat it,” Hill said. Hill has been in San Antonio during the NBA’s pandemic-...

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2020, file photo, Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers ponders a question during an interview with the media in Oakland, Calif. The Associated Press looks at some of the events that would have been live the week of April 20-26: _ Sign-stealing whistleblower Mike Fiers would have been in Houston with the Oakland A’s for a weekend series. The A's right-hander, who pitched for the 2017 World Series champion Astros, hasn't been back to Minute Maid Park since saying last November that his former team used a camera in center field to steal signs. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

While watching more replays of classic games with the national sports calendar on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press looks at some of the events that would have been live the week of April 20-26: MLB: — Sign-stealing whistleblower Mike Fiers would have been in Houston...

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, William Byron celebrates after winning the second of the two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race Sunday, April 19, 2020, by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier iRacing event — in a race finally low on dramatics. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Nobody did anything to get fired or lose a sponsor in this week's edition of NASCAR virtual racing. William Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race on Sunday by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier iRacing event — in...

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2017, file photo, former Edmonton Oilers great Wayne Gretzky speaks to media about the upcoming NHL Centennial Greatest Team celebration hockey game and being voted the greatest team of all time in Toronto. Possibly losing as many as 13 games with the NHL on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic could leave Alex Ovechkin two short of another 50-goal season and threaten his ability to break Gretzky’s all-time record. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Charles Leclerc has won his second straight F1 Virtual Grand Prix after taking the checkered flag on the Shanghai track. The Ferrari driver started the Chinese GP in pole position and finished ahead of Red Bull’s...

FILE - In this May 11, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, celebrates after winning the Indy GP IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Pagenaud has won IndyCar’s virtual race at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan. It is Pagenaud’s second consecutive win in the virtual racing series and third for a Team Penske driver in the four races that have been staged since sports was shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A second straight victory in virtual racing for Simon Pagenaud and Team Penske, and tempers were hot at the end of this one. Pagenaud, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner, competed in his firesuit and captured IndyCar's race Saturday on a simulated Twin Ring Motegi in Japan...

FILE - In this July 3, 2002, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers television play-by-play announcer Vin Scully rehearses before a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. To baseball fans, opening day is an annual rite of spring that evokes great anticipation and warm memories. This year's season was scheduled to begin Thursday, March 26, 2020, but there will be no games for a while because of the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Paul Connors, File)

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The Los Angeles Dodgers showed off some of their stadium renovations in a video narrated by retired broadcaster Vin Scully and posted on social media. Construction work has continued during the coronavirus...

Gates stand locked outside the closed Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England, as the English Premier League soccer season has been suspended due to coronavirus, Thursday, April 9, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Major League Eating is launching a bracket-style elimination tournament starting Friday that will air on MLE’s YouTube channel. Among the eight contestants are Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, the top-ranked men’s and...